Kidney Stone Prevention

While kidney stones and renal colic cannot always be prevented, the risk of forming a stone can be minimized by avoiding dehydration. Keeping the urine dilute will not allow the chemical crystals to come out of solution and form the beginning nidus of a stone. Making certain that the urine remains clear and not concentrated (dark yellow) will help minimize stone formation.

Medication may be prescribed for certain types of stones, and compliance with taking the medication is a must to reduce the risk of future episodes.

Some home remedies to prevent kidney stones may or may not work. While cranberry juice may protect against urinary tract infections and decrease the risk of struvite stones, its properties increase the risk of forming the more common oxalate and uric acid stones. Apple juice contains oxalate and may increase the risk of stone formation. Some home remedy sites recommend apple cider vinegar, presumably because of its acidity and low pH, which may or may not work for stone prevention.